Another trip to Miami to pick up friends for a 10 day cruise along the Keys and up to Marco Island. Strong east winds kept us busy for almost the entire trip. Snorkeling on the reefs was better than in September. Most of the jellyfish were gone.
The highlight of the trip however was the World Speedboat Championship in Key West, into which we stumbled without even knowing! We anchored east of Wisteria Island rather than west of Fleming key, because the anchor wouldn't grab. Good holding east of Wisteria, but weird wind and current influence. The next morning we found ourselves right at the edge of the safety zone of the races, being marked by the USCG with red buoys. Some of the race boats passed 150ft in front of us, coming out of the north turn. Actually, we were told by the CG to move back 50 yards, but eventually we couldn't comply because our anchor was buried underneath some 10 other anchored boats. We "held" Sunny Days away from the danger line by bow thruster and an engine in reverse during one of the races, so the CG wouldn't complain. We could NOT have been any closer to all the action (and noise)! Crazy!
Watch a video of one of the winners and make sure your sound is on and up!
So we spent three interesting days at Key West Harbor and City in perfect weather (except for the constant strong east wind) and then cruised home on a very calm Gulf of Mexico for the first time on this trip, when the wind ceased to 5 knots from the south.
Itinerary:
Marco Island - Little Shark River - Fiesta Key - Pumpkin Key - Miami - Pumpkin Key - Rodriguez Key - Marathon - Key West - Marco Island with several stops in-between for snorkeling and sightseeing.
Over all a very good trip in spite of the constant strong wind, having covered 412 miles in 11 days with an average cruising speed of 6 knots. Diesel used: about 207 gallons.
Dinner at Little Shark River anchorage
A hungry seagull on the way to the Keys....
30 knots of east wind in Hawk Channel
arrival at Miami
anchored at Marine Stadium
pretty sight at twilight
Ragged Keys
Boca Chita Harbor
exploring the harbor
perfect protection
Sunny Days anchored in a distance
lots of cleats all the way around the seawall
Rudy, Rahel, Walter, Barbara
Angelfish Creek
Christ of the Abyss
the photographer
happy hour after arriving in Key West
anchored east of Wisteria Island
pole position for the races
Key West style dinghy
turbine speedboat
amazing dash
speedboats in front of restaurants
cool props
pretty awesome engine room
B R W R
hot boys enjoying Key West
north turn of race - 200 yds from Sunny Days
the noisiest bastard is going round the turn
anchored at the edge...
see the red buoy and the Coast Guard?
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